It’s that time of year again.You know, where every American has to rend to Caesar what is Caesar’s.Or so that’s what we thought.
According to the Tax Foundation, 121 million Americans pay no federal income taxes. That’s nearly 41% of our entire population! Upon further review, however, it seems the study is a bit flawed. It doesn’t seem to account for the 11 million (and growing) illegal aliens in our country who pay no income taxes.
So, according to our estimates 132 million people of 298 million people within our borders don’t pay a dime to Uncle Sam. Nada. Zero. Zilch. That’s roughly 45% of the population!
To put this figure in perspective, the amount of people with no tax liability over the past 55 years has never gone above 28%. In 1970 it was only 16% and in 1982 it was at 18%.
Is this responsible? NO!
A shrinking tax base + rising government spending = absolute disaster.
Not only do the numbers not match up, but the effect this will have on the mentality of America as a whole is frightening. It would mean more people with a greater voice choosing how to spend other people’s money – or according to G. Gordon Liddy, more liberals.
Liddy once remarked “A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money.” Unfortunately he’s right.
It’s time to reform the tax code and make it fair and simple.
It’s time to breed responsibility back into the heart of America.
No one likes paying taxes.But someone must pay for a government that protects our liberties. Is it that unreasonable to expect each person to do his part?
“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country...”
"GETTING AMERICA RIGHT" GIVES HERITAGE TWO BEST SELLERS ON N.Y. TIMES LIST
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2006-The conservative Heritage Foundation now boasts two authors on the prestigious New York Times list of best-selling books.
Heritage President Ed Feulner debuts at No. 20 on the Times’ March 26 list of nonfiction best sellers with his latest book, “Getting America Right.” Co-written with Doug Wilson, chairman of Townhall.com, the book maps out a strategy for getting federal policy-and politicians-back in synch with the conservative principles held by most Americans.
Feulner joins his Heritage colleague, legal scholar James Swanson, who remains on the list for a fifth straight week with “Manhunt,” a history of the 12-day search for John Wilkes Booth following Lincoln’s assassination. “Manhunt” ranks No. 6 for the week.
This is the first time in the think tank’s 33-year history that two Heritage authors have appeared on the Times’ list. Previously, Heritage’s best-selling book was Mandate for Leadership, a 1980 policy guidebook for the Reagan administration.
“This is a great honor for Heritage,” Feulner said. “Traveling around the country, I have found that many people wonder what has happened to conservatism in the past decade or so. There is a hunger in America for common-sense ideas and principled leadership. I’m gratified that ‘Getting America Right’ seems to be striking a chord with so many.”
Less than two weeks after its release, “Getting America Right” is already in its third printing. The book outlines just how far Washington has strayed from the bedrock principles that made America great: free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional values, a strong national defense and rule of law. It then offers a six-point plan to get America back on course.
Are you satisfied with the job performance of your representative or senator? Do you think Congress is headed in the wrong direction? As the 2006 elections approach many conservatives are unhappy with the direction Congress is headed.
But it’s not too late to turn things around and restore confidence in our elected officials.
Getting America Right is a book that serves as a reminder to the American people of the principles of which conservatism is based. Limited government, strong national security, free enterprise, traditional American values and individual freedom have shaped the United States, not the irresponsibility of big government.
What will it take to wake up Congress? We believe that many conservative leaders only need a nudge as a reminder to get back to the conservative principles that got them elected. This nudge could be a letter, phone call or even a visit to Washington. So start taking action.
Today in the Chicago Sun Times, Feulner says the spending joyride is over in Congress. It is time to get serious about putting the conservative principles to work that got our Congress or else pay big in November.
Getting America Right “makes you want to phone, e-mail or buttonhole your congressman right away – about everything!”
So says Jack Markowitz of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review in his book review today.
We couldn’t agree more.
There aren’t many issues that go untouched in this broad-reaching book. And unfortunately, that’s not because the authors felt like writing so much. Rather it’s because the current state of our political affairs is a mess!
Let us state it plainly and simply: There is no such thing as a “big-government conservative.”
And as Markowitz points out, we can do something about it! We can take action and tell our elected officials enough is enough.
Getting America Right is loaded with examples of ridiculous government programs and congressional action that every American will be shocked to know; from completely losing $24.9 billion (nearly 4 times what Saddam Hussein was able to siphon off in Oil for Food), to enacting the largest entitlement program since LBJ with the prescription drug benefit plan, or passing the most pork-laden transportation bill in this country’s history, this Congress is not conservative.
Our message to you is this: Call your local politicians and demand fiscal responsibility. Ask them the tough questions. Ask them if they know what a real conservative believes. Ask them if they know how to get America right. Ask them if they know how to act responsibly…If they say “no” to any of this, we the people will demand better!
In case you missed it, here's the text for Ed Feulner's interview on Hannity and Colmes:
HANNITY: As we continue on "Hannity & Colmes," joining us now, the author of "Getting America Right: The True Conservative Values that our Nation Needs Today," the president of the prestigious Heritage Foundation, Edward Feulner is with us.
First of all, I'm proud to endorse this book, as you know. And I've got a blurb on here.
What -- when I look at this, I see, this is a call to arms and a reminder to get back to some principles that Republicans have lost.
EDWARD FEULNER, AUTHOR, "GETTING AMERICA RIGHT": Republicans and conservatives and Americans generally.
Sean, as you point out, we go, really, back to the Founding Fathers, what America is all about: federalism, about self-reliance, about self- sufficiency. And those are the kinds of things we want people to really talk about and expect from their congressmen and senators.
HANNITY: Yes.
FEULNER: And we haven't been.
HANNITY: You know something? I always go back to -- and I brought this up on my radio show the other day. I raise the point what would Reagan do? You know, Reagan would fight and push back the growth of government. Reagan was a staunch anticommunist, stood up to evil in his time, built up our defenses. You know, what are we missing here?
FEULNER: You know how bad it's become? In our chapter on self- reliance, we talk about the fact that since then, actually we've gotten 128 percent more dependent on the federal government for basics like housing, food, and shelter. The very basic things that American people need.
The something for nothing mentality seems to have really taken over. Instead of going back to the little platoons that we used to rely on.
HANNITY: But this is -- the Republicans are in charge here.
FEULNER: I know, I know. And that's -- that's our real concern. When we end up battling over earmarks, bridges to nowhere, boy, we've got to get away from that and get back to basics.
HANNITY: What does -- what does it mean when the Heritage Foundation is coming out against Republicans, saying, "You guys are spending way too much money. You guys many some ways have abandoned some of the principles that brought you to the dance." What does that mean? What should that mean to Republican congressmen when somebody like you is saying that?
FEULNER: Well, the first thing it means, of course, is Heritage is not partisan. We're not Republican. We are unashamedly, unabashedly conservative.
HANNITY: Conservative. You're conservative.
FUELNER: We're conservative.
HANNITY: Right.
FEULNER: And so what it does is it reminds those Republicans who are straying from the conservative principles that they used to really endorse, that they ought to get back to those basics.
HANNITY: Medicare prescription drug program, no use of the veto, spending is...
FEULNER: Spending is out of control, really.
HANNITY: Immigration is not solved.
FEULNER: Immigration is not solved. And we've got to get back to the rule of law there.
Now, there are some very positive signs, though. Everything from the two Supreme Court justices...
HANNITY: Very positive.
(CROSSTALK)
FEULNER: We're hopeful. Line-item veto today. He came out and announced a line-item veto. That's very positive.
COLMES: And is Bush governing as a conservative?
FEULNER: Part of the time, Alan.
COLMES: That was a yes or no question.
FEULNER: Not as much as we'd like.
COLMES: Why not?
FEULNER: Not as much as we'd like.
COLMES: Why is that? Was he elected under false pretenses?
FEULNER: He was elected clearly as a conservative. What -- my problem with him seems to be lack of attention to details.
COLMES: You give me much ammunition in this book. Hasn't vetoed a single spending bill. Raised discretionary spending by 49 percent, worse since World War II. And $24.5 billion in taxpayer money vanished in 2003.
FEULNER: That nobody can account for. Nobody can account for it.
And the largest single entitlement plan since LBJ with the prescription drug thing. All of which we fought. All of which, again, they've got to get back to basics and look at what conservatives are supposed to be about. That's what we talk about, "Getting American Right."
COLMES: Time for election new people in different parties, perhaps, at this point.
HANNITY: We did great on the war on terror, great on tax cuts, great on judges. If they can get spending and immigration, they'd be in much better shape.
FEULNER: We'd get it back on track that way.
HANNITY: It's a great book.
FEULNER: Thank you.
HANNITY: I'm proud to endorse it. Good to see you. Thanks for being with us.
Getting America Right, within a few hours of the open of business, has climbed to #1 in US Politics; #2 in Politics; #15 in Nonfiction on Amazon.com.
As we watch Getting America Right soar higher and higher in the rankings, it only confirms that America is thirsty for sound ideas and leaders who stand strong for individual freedom, limited government, free enterprise, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.
The final countdown has begun as we await the highly anticipated launch of Getting America Right, which debuts tomorrow! The engines are really revved up here at headquarters.
The book tour is in full-swing, media interviews like Hannity and Colmes, Neal Boortz, Armstrong Williams and many more are rolling in, and book sales on Amazon are shooting upward. In fact, before the book has hit the book stand, Getting America Right has reached #9 in U.S. Politics.
Tell your friends, family and lawmakers about this project so together we can reclaim this land of opportunity and prosperity.
Don’t forget to tune in tonight to watch Feulner live on Hannity and Colmes and keep visiting GettingAmericaRight.com to stay up-to-date on other media appearances and book news.
Our nation’s immigration system broken and isn’t getting better. Everyday over 1300 illegal immigrants pour over our borders amounting to nearly 500,000 illegal immigrants being added to our population annually.
This week the Senate is considering several immigration bills which will undoubtedly make for a difficult battle. It’s important to take a step back and remember the broader principles concerning our nation’s immigration policy. As Ed Meese and Matthew Spalding of the Heritage Foundation write in a Heritage Backgrounder, there are four principles our lawmakers should consider when writing immigration legislation: The consent of the governed, national security, the rule of law, and patriotic assimilation.
In his timely piece in the Chicago Sun Times, Ed Feulner outlines key considerations for immigration reform. We should seek a policy that encourages assimilation and unity among immigrants. After all, united we stand and divided we fall.
Turnout for these events was great and Dr. Feulner is thrilled with the positive responses he’s been receiving throughout his book tour.
The buzz is beginning. A couple from Florida heard from some friends in Pittsburgh that they should make it out to hear Dr. Feulner’s message, and we’re happy to say they did.
Moreover, we had 135 people at Naples, not an open seat in the entire room!
We had 150 people join us in Palm Beach!
All told, we’re happy to announce more than 450 people joined Dr. Feulner for the 4 events held in Florida this week.
Let’s keep building on this momentum. Tell all your friends, tell all your enemies – Ed Feulner and Doug Wilson mean business – look out Washington!
The GettingAmericaRight team is getting excited as we approach the release of the book. Remember to click the Buy Now option which will take you directly to the Amazon.com page where you can purchase Getting America Right for yourself, family, friends and local politicians.
To be successful in business you must be resourceful, thorough, meticulous and efficient. The same goes for government.
Despite Wal-Mart’s size, it has been able to reach out to customers and employees unlike any other big-business. Wal-Mart is able to react according to supply and demand – a fundamental aspect of business.
On the other hand, the larger government grows, the more inefficient it tends to become.
Hurricane Katrina was not only a disaster for Americans in the Gulf; it was a disaster for local, state and federal government. We saw unprecedented relief failures at all levels of government. Food, housing, and financial disaster aid was indeed much-needed, but it was also inefficiently delivered.
As Ed Feulner and Doug Wilson write in Getting America Right, we believe federal involvement in the lives of American citizens should be minimal, with Washington being the last resort when no other alternatives can be found. Otherwise, government becomes inefficient, sticking its nose into other people’s business.
Read this week’s Chicago Sun Times column, Wal-Mart's shelf-correcting system is model for government, by Ed Feulner, which shows how bringing in more private, local expertise – businesses like Wal-Mart - and taking out federal bureaucracy can save the States in times of disaster and cut wasteful spending.
We are pleased to announce that today’s event in Pittsburgh went extremely well. Ed Feulner received a highly-encouraging response from more than 200 enthusiastic attendees. Dr. Feulner would like to thank everyone for coming out and taking the first step in Getting America Right.
Last week Ed Feulner was the MC of the CPAC reception and dinner which also included Vice President Dick Cheney and Sen. George Allen as speakers, among many other notable conservatives.
Feulner was honored to host CPAC and is especially excited about the promise and future of the young conservative crowd. “Many of these young conservatives at CPAC are likely to make their presence felt in Washington for decades to come.”
Thursday’s reception ended with Paul Weyrich, Chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation, as the recipient of the John M. Ashbrook award for his contributions to conservatism over the past 40 years.We congratulate Mr. Weyrich on this well-deserved recognition.
“If we must look over our shoulder to see that shining city on a hill, we are sailing in the wrong direction.”
As the words came out of Congressman Mike Pence’s mouth at CPAC this morning, we couldn’t be more thrilled. Yes! That’s the message America needs to hear. That’s the proper wakeup call to all who care about the future of America.
Enough with political rhetoric that means nothing, promises nothing and does nothing!
As Pence pointed out, if six years isn’t enough time to start the work you’ve promised to do, what is?The Republican Party, while accomplishing much we’re grateful for: the appointment of two Supreme Court Justices, the liberation of Iraq and Afghanistan, thwarted terrorist attacks, tax cuts and a booming economy; has still shown “Too little discipline. Too many compromises. Too little resolve.”
Ronald Reagan reminded us 30 years ago, “A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency, or simply to swell its numbers.”
We couldn’t agree more. You can’t be for limited government and build Bridges to Nowhere. You can’t be for the freedom of all Americans in education choice and then pass the No Child Left Behind Act. You can’t be for economic growth and not make the Bush tax cuts permanent. Or as the Good Book says, “You cannot serve two masters.”
The strength of conservatives does not depend on pleasing people and recruiting a vast number of so-called followers. Rather, conservatives rely on the commitment to unchanging, timeless and true principles.
Hearing Pence’s words today was like finding a wellspring in the center of the desert. It was energizing, thirst-quenching and hopeful.
If Republicans want to continue to have a chance to get America right, they better get back to the principles of conservatism. Government that governs least truly does govern best.
Click hereto read Mike Pence’s speech delivered at the Conservative Political Action Conference on February 11, 2006.
Sometimes it’s easy to sit back at your desk and scratch your head in wonder of the U.S. Senate.
Question: How many reported cases of abuse have occurred since the USA Patriot Act was signed by every U.S Senator except Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)?
Answer: Zero
Question: How many terrorist attacks have occurred on U.S. soil since the USA Patriot Act went into effect?
Answer: Zero
So why can’t we make the Patriot Act permanent? It’s working!
Some Senators argue that there are only a few changes to be implemented and at that point, they’ll turn it into law. But in the meantime we’ve seen only temporary renewals.
We wonder how far apart Democrats and Republicans can be at this point. They’re temporarily renewing the Patriot Act so they must not be that far apart.
Or, maybe this is just another typical example of partisan politics.
Quick, how many zeros does $46 trillion have? Time’s up. Twelve. Yes, that’s $46,000,000,000,000--the amount of unfunded obligations that come due when the 77 million baby boomers begin collecting Social Security and Medicare benefits.
This is a terrifying figure because it means that we are less than one generation away from Congress being unable to pay for anything other than Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and interest on the federal debt – leaving not so much as a penny for defense, homeland security or any other government priorities.
According to the framework set out in Getting America Right, this kind of irresponsibility passes none our litmus tests. 1) It is not the Government’s business. 2) It in no way promotes self-reliance. 3) It is completely irresponsible. 4) It can’t make us prosperous by robbing us of our hard-earned income. 5) We can’t be safer if we can’t afford a national defense. 6) The only thing that would unite us in this scenario is being as equally poor and desolate as all our neighbors.
This is not the vision of our Founding Fathers nor is it the vision of today’s Americans. We must demand fiscal responsibility from our elected officials.
Click here to arm yourself with a complete analysis of the federal budget from The Heritage Foundation’s Brian Reidl. Knowing the facts can help fight out-of-control government spending and Get America Right.
Today, Rep. John Boehner of Ohio won a tight race for House Majority Leader.
His election comes at a time when the American people are rightfully sick of corruption in Congress. But what will it take to fix the problem?
Well, there are 2.7 trillion incentives to lobby Congress – one for every dollar of the federal budget. As George Will recently put it, “People serious about reducing the role of money in politics should be serious about reducing the role of politics in distributing money.”
It's crucial that conservatives on the Hill take advantage of the new opportunity to reign in government spending or otherwise face a disgruntled electorate in November. The lackluster performance over the past several years, despite the Republican party controlling the House, Senate and White House, is unacceptable.
We look forward to Boehner’s leadership with hopes both parties in Congress will get tough on federal spending, eliminating earmarks and increasing the transparency of federal grants.
Where did we take a wrong turn? That’s what proud conservatives are asking. The era of liberal dominance is finally over, but sometimes you wouldn’t know it. Government spending is out of control, huge waves of illegal immigration threaten our security and our American identity, more and more Americans look to Washington for the “quick fix,” the government grabs for more power at the expense of our liberty, American businesses are fleeing overseas, and terrorism threatens us more than ever. How do we deal with these crises when our leaders refuse to?
Feulner was honored to host CPAC and is especially excited about the promise and future of the young conservative crowd. 
